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Bielsa takes blame for 'unjustifiable' Marseille loss

Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa labelled his team's Coupe de France elimination as "unjustifiable" but attempted to shield his players from blame.

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Written ByMichael Huguenin

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Bielsa's men led twice in regulation away to Grenoble, while the
visitors also hit the front in extra time, before their fourth-tier
hosts equalised in the 120th minute to force a penalty
shoot-out.

Grenoble went on to win 5-4 in the shootout with Paul Cattier
tipping Florian Thauvin's spot-kick over the bar.

While Grenoble's speed and tenacity pulled Marseille's defence
apart on numerous occasions - the home side had 10 shots for the
match - Bielsa argued "there is no way to explain a defeat like
this".

"This is not a game to analyse. Defeat is unjustifiable," the
Argentinian said.

"Any explanation will not prevent us to be responsible. It makes
no sense to review the game.

"Merit is one of the parts of the game. There is no way to
explain a defeat like this."

Bielsa went on to claim Marseille's loss was his fault.

"No, the blame is for me because of the way we played," he
said.

"The differences between the two teams were very large. I led
the team that had all the advantages to win. The fact we did not
win gives me more responsibility than my players."

Marseille captain Andre Ayew, who scored the visitors'
extra-time goal before Selim Bengriba bobbed up in the 121st minute
to head home Grenoble's third equaliser, was also furious with his
team's performance.

"We have not done enough. This is unacceptable, unacceptable,"
he said.

"We carry the lead three times … I must think of something else
and focus on the championship."